Plaster Over Invitation Date Cmco Throws Wedding Plans Into Disarray

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COVID-19 | The expansion of the conditional movement order (CMCO) to most parts of the country has thrown wedding plans into disarray at this time of the year.
Wedding planners and caterers also have to take a hit in light of the Covid-19 safety measures, which will see various restrictions, including on wedding ceremonies.
"We have already made preparations for the weddings in November and December, including deposit payments to all sub-vendors including caterers, photographers and audio system companies.
"The losses amount to RM50,000," said 24-year-old Abdul Faris Mohamad (photo), who owns the Johor Bahru-based wedding planning firm Whitebox Designed.
The move coincides with a time of the year where there is an uptick of weddings.



Abdul Faris Mohamad
Sabah has been under a conditional MCO since Oct 13 while Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya were placed under the CMCO on Oct 14.
The CMCO for these states and territories were to expire today, but have been extended for another four weeks until Dec 6.
However, it was also expanded to cover all other states except Perlis, Kelantan, Pahang and Sarawak.
Muhammad Aizad Mohamed Rosli, 26, who runs the catering company Warisan Leno based in Klang, was looking forward to an end of the conditional MCO.
However, following the extension, several wedding orders have been cancelled.


Aizad said he has had to throw out some raw material intended for food orders for wedding ceremonies.
"I've taken a hit due to the conditional MCO because catering is my only source of income.
"There have been last-minute cancellations because of the government's order. Some items that have been bought had to be thrown out just like that," Aizad told Malaysiakini.
Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also the senior minister overseeing the CMCO, had on Nov 7 announced an extension and also expansion to Kedah, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor and Terengganu.
Under the CMCO rules set out by the National Security Council, wedding receptions are not allowed.
However, the ceremony to solemnise a wedding at the Registration Department or places of worship is allowed, subject to a limit of up to 30 people, depending on the venue's capacity.
The rules for Muslims could differ slightly from state to state as modifications may be made by the respective state religious authorities.
A bride-to-be who is among the many couples who have had to put off their weddings is 24-year-old Miza Batrisyia Mazelan (below).


Her wedding reception was slated to take place on Nov 22, but must now be postponed.
"Almost everything was ready, only the distribution of the wedding invitations was left. But we didn't dare to distribute them because we don't know if the conditional MCO would be extended.
"Now we have to buy stickers to plaster over the date on the card," said Miza, who resides in Kajang, Selangor.
However, Miza said she was grateful that wedding planning firms have been accommodative due to the conditional MCO.
"Alhamduillah, the wedding planner, make-up artist, videographer and others were understanding and did not impose additional charges (for the postponement)," she said.
Another affected bride-to-be is 26-year-old Sharena Anes, who hails from Malacca.
"Our families are saddened, but we accept what has happened," she said.
Although the solemnisation ceremony is allowed with restrictions during the CMCO, Sharena said she decided to put off the ceremony as important family members won't be allowed to attend.
"The Malacca Islamic Religious Department has issued a statement stating that only one representative (from each side) is allowed to attend the akad nikah ceremony," she said.
Her ceremony was planned to take place on Nov 14. - Mkini

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